Drought support
The Drought Assistance Programs were developed to help primary producers prepare, manage, recover and mitigate the impacts of drought.
The Drought Assistance Program offers two grant schemes:
- Drought Preparedness Grants – this scheme closed for applications on 16 June 2025 as current scheme funding has been exhausted. Please note, the recent Queensland State Budget included a new funding round to be open in the 2025-26 financial year
- Farm Management Grants – these will be available until November 2025 (unless funding is exhausted prior).
The Drought Assistance Program included three Drought Loan Schemes:
- Drought Ready and Recovery Loans
- Drought Carry-on Finance Loans
- Emergency Drought Assistance Loans
These loans were discontinued at 30 June 2025.
For drought readiness activities please consider QRIDA’s Sustainability Loan.
Additional support
Restructure your farm debt
Tackle farm debt head on with QRIDA’s Farm Business Analysis Assistance program. The free, no obligation program aims to get primary producers and financers back around the table to identify financial problems, rethink strategies and come up with options and recommendations to resolve underlying debt issues including debt restructure.
QRIDA Sustainability Loan
A QRIDA Sustainability Loan may be used for implementation activities and may help you to mitigate the impact of drought by improving the water and feed infrastructure of your primary production enterprise. Learn what property developments you can carry out to reduce the impact of drought on your farming business be getting in touch below.
Already a QRIDA client and need help?
If you’re struggling to meet your repayments due to the effects of drought, contact QRIDA to find out how we can help you alleviate financial pressure. Every farm business is different, so we assess you on your situation to find a tailored solution.
Your health and wellbeing
Need to talk? Take care of your health and wellbeing by contacting one of the many support networks available for people in rural and remote areas:
- Primary Health Network
- Royal Flying Doctor Service mental health clinicians - For 24 hour medical and emergency help in South Australia call 1800 RFDS SA or 1800 733 772.
- Head to Health - free or low-cost Australian digital mental health services.
- ReachOUT is a website-based mental health service for young people.
- Lifeline, 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services - Call 131 114.
- MensLine Australia - information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. Call 1300 78 99 78.
- Suicide Call Back Service - 24/7 telephone and online counselling. Call 1300 659 467
- Rural Aid - counselling support to the farm gate or chat directly via 1300 175 594.
